FQA: Frequently Asked Questions regarding the B.A. degree in Modern Language & Culture (ML&C) and teacher certification in foreign languages (FLED).



1. Where can I find general information about the major in Modern Language & Culture.
2. What are the requirements for the B.A. degree in ML&C?
3. How does the degree in ML&C differ from degrees in French or Spanish offered at other University System of Georgia schools?
4. I already have a B.A (or B.S.) degree from another university but the degree is not in French or Spanish. Can I complete a second degree in ML&C at KSU?
5. I already have a university degree in a foreign language (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, etc.) and want to be certified to teach that language in the state of Georgia. What options do I have?
6. I’m transferring from another university where I took courses in French / Spanish. How many hours of that credit can I transfer into the ML&C program at KSU?
7. I am a native speaker of French or Spanish and want to pursue the degree in ML&C. Do I have to complete all 10 courses required for the major?
8. I am interested in taking a language course at KSU but don’t know what level is best for me? Do you have placement tests?
9. What do I have to do to get a minor in French /or Spanish /or Italian /or German Studies /or Chinese?
10. I need to take courses in my major but can’t find courses this semester at KSU that work for my schedule. Can I take courses at another USG institution?
11. None of  these answers responds to my questions. How do I contact the Department or make an appointment with an advisor?

Where can I find general information about the major in Modern Language & Culture.

We have an excellent web page located at http://www.kennesaw.edu/foreignlanguage/academicprograms.html where you will be able to find answers to most of your questions. We also have check sheets and sample program plans for the major and all concentrations on our Advising web page. If you don’t find answers to your questions there, continue reading this FAQ page to see if we’ve answered your question before.  If you don’t see the answer to your question, please contact the Department Chair via email. Top

What are the requirements for the B.A. degree in ML&C?

The degree in ML&C requires that you take 10 courses in either French or Spanish above the 2002 level and complete requirements for one of the four “concentrations” required of all majors. The concentrations are: Second Language & Culture; Foreign Language Education / teacher certification; Applied Business; Cross-disciplinary Perspectives. For detailed information on the program, see our webpage on Major requirements and the concentrations. Top

How does the degree in ML&C differ from degrees in French or Spanish offered at other University System of Georgia schools.

The ML&C degree with a primary language of French or Spanish requires the same number of courses (10 courses in the primary language above the intermediate level) at KSU as at other major USG institutions. (UGA and GSU, for example, require 10 courses above the intermediate level for their degrees.) The distinguishing feature of the KSU program is the addition of an applied “concentration” which directly links a student’s language study to her/his professional goals. For detailed information on how the concentrations complement language study, see our webpage on Major requirements and the concentrations.  To review a check sheet of the requirements for each concentration, click on the appropriate link as follows: Second Language & Culture Check Sheet; Foreign Language Education Check Sheet; Applied Business Check Sheet; Cross-disciplinary Perspectives Check SheetTop

I already have a B.A (or B.S.) degree from another university but the degree is not in French or Spanish. Can I complete a second degree in ML&C at KSU?

Yes, you may peruse a “second degree” in ML&C. The KSU Undergraduate Catalog (2006-2007, page 65; online Catalog) states: “Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges may obtain a second baccalaureate degree from KSU by satisfying the following requirements: * Meet all major requirements listed for the chosen program of study. * Complete the Georgia Legislature history and Constitution requirements. * Students earn at least 30 semester hours in residence at Kennesaw State University. If the first baccalaureate degree was earned at Kennesaw State University, this 30 hours must be in excess of any hours used towards the first baccalaureate degree. * Complete (for students with majors in the Bagwell College of Education) the lower division major requirement courses in Education.”  A Department of Foreign Languages advisor can assist you in determining which courses you will need to complete for the second degree. Please call the Department office at 770-423-6366 to arrange an appointment with an advisor. Top

I already have a university degree in a foreign language (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, etc.) and want to be certified to teach that language in the state of Georgia. What options do I have?

We offer two options, depending on your academic background and current employment circumstances.
OPTION #1: If you are currently employed or have a firm offer of employment as a full-time teacher of a foreign language (either modern or classical) in a public or private SACS-accredited school in Georgia, you may qualified for admission to our Alternative Teacher Education (ATP) program, completion of which leads to clear and renewable teacher certification. For details on this program and application deadlines, please consult our webpage on the ATP Program. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the large number of applicants for this program, we are not able to arrange individual interviews with prospective candidates, so please read the online materials carefully. Once you are -admitted to the program, you will be provided with a detailed plan for completion of the certification process. Top

OPTION #2: If you have a degree in French or Spanish from an institution regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges, you may pursue certification in these languages by completing a second degree in Education. The second degree requires 36 hours of upper division courses in education (including a full semester of student teaching for 12 hours of credit) and the completion of the lower division major requirement courses in Education. Please consult the KSU Undergraduate Catalog (2006-2007, page 65) or the online Catalog for details on second majors. Top

I’m transferring from another university where I took courses in French / Spanish. How many hours of that credit can I transfer into the ML&C program at KSU?

At least 24 semester hours (8 courses) of upper division courses in the major field must be completed at KSU; at least 39 hours of upper division work, overall, must be completed at KSU. Your transfer evaluation report will indicate which courses are transferred to KSU with a KSU equivalent number. A Department of Foreign Languages  advisor can assist you in determining which courses you will need to complete for the degree at KSU. Please call the Department office at 770-423-6366 to arrange an appointment with an advisor. Top

I am a native speaker of French or Spanish and want to pursue the degree in ML&C. Do I have to complete all 10 courses required for the major?

Yes, however, you may complete up to three of the required courses by taking an examination for advanced standing. To determine if you are eligible to take the advanced standing examinations, please consult our webpage on Testing which explains the examination procedures and provides contact information to receive additional information. Top

I am interested in taking a language course at KSU but don’t know what level is best for me? Do you have placement tests?

Yes. We have placement tests that you can take from home, online, in French, German, and Spanish. Please consult our Testing webpage for details on how to take the placement tests. Top

What do I have to do to get a minor in French /or Spanish /or Italian /or German Studies /or Chinese?

All of our minors  require 5 courses in the language. If your first major is a BS degree, you may count your language 2002 course toward the minor, then you will need to complete 4 courses at the 3000 level or above. If your first major is a BA degree, you must take 5 courses at the 3000 or above. Please consult our Minors webpage for complete information. You do not need to see an advisor to declare a minor; however, we would appreciate your sending an email to our office to let us know of your intent to minor --  jeilbach@kennesaw.edu. Top

I need to take courses in my major but can’t find courses this semester at KSU that work for my schedule. Can I take courses at another USG institution?

Yes. KSU participates in the ARCHE program (Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education) which permits you to “cross-register” for courses at other participating GA institutions. You must have your advisor’s approval to cross-register so please call the Department office at 770-423-6366 to arrange an appointment with an advisor and indicate that you wish to cross-register. BEFORE meeting with your advisor, consult the websites of other ARCHE institutions listed on the ARCHE application, then go to the websites of those institutions to determine if they offer courses you can take. CAREFULLY READ the Eligibility Criteria Checklist on the application to make sure that you qualify for this opportunity. Top

None of  these answers responds to my questions. How do I contact the Department or make an appointment with an advisor?

Please send your question to the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages who will direct your inquiry to the appropriate advisor. Top